Exchange benefit goes 'on the road' for Guard, Reserve Published May 13, 2008 DALLAS -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is "on the road again," taking the exchange benefit directly to Guard and Reserve families across United States and Hawaii. With semi-trailers packed tight with "tax free" electronics, toys and footwear, AAFES intends to join the Defense Commissary Agency for some 40 on site sales this year. "These events are primarily targeted towards National Guard members, Reservists and their Families, many of whom live great distances from brick-and-mortar exchange facilities," said Maggie Burgess, AAFES' senior vice president of sales. "Taking the benefit to communities that don't have day-to-day exchange support is extremely important as 25 percent, or nearly 3 million, of the 11.5 million armed forces members eligible to shop the exchange come from Guard and Reserve families." With future stops scheduled for Fort Pickett, Va., Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., and even the island of Maui, AAFES has a slew of exclusive deals planned for these events such as "dollar pallet buys," featuring merchandise at $1, $2 and $3 price points, "two for the price of one" DVD and CD sales and wine tasting promotions. In 2007, AAFES provided nearly $21 million in dividends from to morale, welfare and recreation programs for the National Guard and Reserves. AAFES' commander, Brig. Gen. Keith Thurgood, an Army reservist himself, has charged the entire AAFES team with proactively reaching out to "warrior citizens" in an effort to deliver increased dividends to this important demographic. "These on-site sales are just one element of the exchange's increased focus on supporting the Guard and Reserve," Burgess said. "For example, AAFES' direct marketing division is customizing special coupons and promotions just for Guard and Reserve shoppers and aggressively communicating the advantages of the world's largest BX/PX, www.aafes.com." Scheduled AAFES Guard and Reserve on-site sales are as follows. May 17 -- Fort Pickett, Va. -- Army Guard June 1 -- Greenville, N.C. -- Naval Ops/7 Marine Units June 5-8 -- Charlotte, N.C. -- Air National Guard June 13-15 -- Island of Maui, Hawaii -- ANG-292 Combat/Comm June 27-29 -- Warrenton, Oregon -- National Guard Aug. 1 -- Westover AFB, Mass. -- Marine Reserves/Army Guard Aug. 1-2 -- Grissom -- Air National Guard Aug. 17-19 -- Paso Robles, Calif. -- National Guard Sept. 1-6 -- Salt Lake City, Utah -- National Guard Sept. 12-14 -- Portland, Oregon -- Air National Guard Oct. 4 -- Grissom -- Air National Guard Oct. 17-19 -- Hilo, Hawaii -- ANG-291 Combat/Comm Nov. 1 -- Grissom ARB -- Air National Guard Nov. 1 -- Westfield, Mass. -- Air Guard/Army Reserves (Courtesy AAFES)